Method and apparatus for compacting web materials, such as fabrics



Jan. 2, 1962 x:` col-IN r-:TAL

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR coMPAcTING WEB MATERIALS, SUCH AS FABRICS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 8, 1958 E. COHN ET A; 3,015,146

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FRANK CATALLO INVENTOR EUGENE COHN i---,LEET .i-

SEPH

l J COHN I Jan. 2, 1962 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COMPACTING WEB MATERIALS, SUCH AS FABRICS Filed Jan. 8, 1958 Jan. 2, 1962 E. col-1N ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR coMPAcTING WEB MATERIALS, SUCH As FABRICS 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 8, 1958 PH CO N NEYS H m0 mm EN VE mw F RAN K CATALLO l l l 1 JOSE E. CO H N APPARATUS Sheets-Sheet 4 3,615,146 METHQD AND APPARATUS EUR COMPACTDJG WEB MATERALS, SUCH AS FABRECS Eugene Cohn, Great Neck, Frank Catalio, Elmont, and

.loseph Cohn, New York, NX., assigncrs to Compex Corp., Woodside, NFI., a corporation of New York Filed lan. 8, 1958, Ser.. No. M1393 9 Claims. (Cl. 26-l8.6)

The present invention relates to the processing of textile fabrics, and more particularly to improvements in methods and apparatus for processing fabrics, including mechanically compacting the fabrics to impart desirable characteristics thereto.

In the copending application Ser. No. 638,154, of Eugene Cohn et al., filed February 4, 1957, for Method and Apparatus for Treating Web Materials, Such as Fabrics (hereinafter referred to as the first Cohn et al. application) there are described and claimed improved arrangements for processing fabrics which include rnechanically compacting the fabrics. The improved arrangements involve passing a fabric between feeding and retarding rolls moving at different speeds and acting on opposite surfaces of the fabric while confining the cloth, immediately adjacent the roll nip, within a compacting zone defined by the nip and by the forward edge of a compacting shoe. Fabric is fed into the compacting zone at a rate determined by the speed of the feeding roll and fabric leaves the Zone at a rate determined by the speed of the retarding roll, the speed differential resulting in compacting of the fabric, lengthwise, within the space of the compacting zone.

Although the method and apparatus of the first Cohn et al. application is perfectly adequate for its intended uses, it is characteristic of that invention that the fabric be acted upon differently on its opposite surfaces. And, While such a characteristic is not disadvantageous for most applications, it may result in a finished fabric having a slightly different appearance on its surfaces, particularly where the fabric undergoes a severe compacting.

A simplified arrangement for improving the uniformity of surface appearance of compacted fabric, which is subjected to substantial compressive treatment, is described and claimed in the copending application Ser. No. 797,814 of Eugene Cohn et al., filed Ianuary 8, 1958, for Method and Apparatus for Preshrinking Textile Fabric (hereinafter referred to as the second Cohn et al. application).

In accordance with one aspect of the invention of the second Cohn et al. application, immediately prior tothe entry of the fabric into a compacting station, that surface (only) of the fabric which is to be brought into contact with the feeding roll is moisturized by the application of steam. For reasons described more fully in the second Cohn et al. application, the application of steam to that one surface of the fabric results in a nished product having substantial uniformity of appearance on both of its surfaces, even though a substantial degree of compacting may have been effected. The present invention relates to improvements in the method and apparatus of the first Cohn et al. application constituting, in part, an alternative to certain aspects of the method and apparatus of the second Cohn et al. application, and resulting in improved uniformity of fabric surface appearance, more precise control over the extent of compacting and greater flexibility in the handling of a Wide variety of materials, whereby a superior finished product is realized. The invention may also be useful in connection with, and constitutes an improvement over, the methods and apparatus described in US. Patents Nos. 2,765,513 and 2,765,514 to Richard R. Walton.

3,915,146 Earented dan. 2,1@62

In part, the present invention involves performing two successive compacting operations upon a fabric by passing the fabric successively through two compacting stations which are reversely oriented with respect to the fabric. The arrangement is such that, although the opposite surfaces of the fabric are acted upon differently at each compacting station, the differential action at one Station may be offset by a reverse differential action at a second station, so that the finished fabric is characterized by uniformity of fabric structure on its opposite sides, the latter' characteristic being of particular importance in the 'case of tubular knitted fabrics, for example, Where Vthe fabric is processed in doubled or two-layer form. in the improved method, the fabric, after compacting, is in substantially finished form. and, as a general rule, requires no calendering or like operations to improve surface appearance.

A more specific aspect of the invention resides in the provision of novel and improved arrangements for processing textile fabric, comprising a pair of compacting stations, of the general type described in the first Cohn et al. application, which are reversely oriented with respect to the fabric, whereby the differential action of one compacting station may be offset by the reverse differential action of the other. In this respect, We have observed that, with a lvariety of fabrics, the compacting effort or action of the successive compacting stations usually must be different, with different fabrics, to result in the desired uniformity of characteristics in the finished product. Thus, in one case the desired result may be achieved where of the total compacting effort is provided by the first compacting station while, in another case, it may be desirable to derive, say, 60% of the compacting effort from the lirst station. The present invention, accordingly, includes facilities for accurately regulating the proportion of the total compacting eiort obtained in each station, so that a variety of fabrics may be processed to the desired uniformity of appearance and structure.

One of the important advantages of the invention resides in the fact that tubular knitted fabric may be fed to a compacting apparatus under tension and yet successfully compacted to the desired degree. This is of substantial importance in the processing of many materials to finished form, in that the material may be passed over tensioning and straightening means as it is conveyed to the compacting apparatus, so that stripes or cross lines are properly straightened and aligned as the material enters the compactor. Heretofore, it has been thought to be advantageous, if not necessary, to feed knitted material to a compactor in a relaxed condition, in order to permit the required compacting to be carried out in a manner resulting in a finished product of acceptable quality.

'Other aspects of the invention reside in various specific mechanical features of the compacting apparatus, resulting in simplification of manufacture, reduction in maintenance and improvement in operation.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description and to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a simplified, diagrammatic View of apparatus according to the invention, for use in carrying out the method of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, with parts broken away, of a compacting station useful in the apparatus of FIG, 1 and incorporating improved features of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional View taken generally along line 3--3 of FiG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken generally along line 1 4 of FiG. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. l thereof, the numeral lil designates generally a mechanism for spreading and feeding tubular fabric, which mechanism may advantageously be constructed in accordance with the teachings and disclosure of the S. Cohn et al. Patent No. 2,222,794, issued November 26, 1940. 1n general, the spreading mechanism of the patent comprises a spreader frame 19a, which tends to spread and flatten the fabric, tension bows 1Gb arranged to distend the fabric vertically, and feed rollers 11. The fabric is advantageously pulled over the spreader 10, by compacting apparatus to be described, and the fabric is placed under tension, which may vary across its width, so that the fabric is properly aligned and oriented prior to coinpacting. v

On the exit side of the spreader are steamers 12, 13, positioned on opposite sides of the plane of movement of the fabric, and, advantageously, the exit side of the frame 10a extends between and beyond the stearners, so that the fabric is spread when it passes the Steamers.

Adjacent the Steamers 12, 13, on the exit side thereof, is a first compacting station 14, which is advantageously of the general type set forth in the first Cohn et al. application, but which, in any event, is of a type which acts upon fabric in such a way that different treatment is given to the opposite surfaces of the fabric. In the illustrated apparatus, the compacting station 14 comprises a feeding roll 15, a retarding roll 16 and a confining shoe 17. The rolls 15, 16 form a nip 1S, through which the fabric passes, and the shoe 17 has a blade-like edge 19 spaced a short distance above the nip and forming therewith a compacting zone. The feeding roll 15, travelling at' a higher speed than the retarding roll 16, feeds fabric to the compacting zone at a first rate, but the fabric leaves the nip 18 at a second rate determined by the speed of the retarding roll (the speed of a roll, as used throughout, meaning peripheral speed), whereby the fabric in the compacting zone is mechanically preshrunk.

As will be readily apparent, fabric passing the compacting station 14 is subjected to different treatments on its opposite surfaces, since, at one point, the fabric is in simultaneous contact with rolls moving at different speeds. Accordingly, unless care is taken in the compacting operation, or special procedures are followed, such as those set forth in the second Cohn et al. application, the fabric is likely to take on different characteristics on its opposite surfaces, particularly where the fabric is tubular knit material and/ or where the fabric is compacted to a high degree.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, a second compacting station 20 is provided, through which the fabric is passed in succession, after leaving the first compacting station 14. The second compacting station is advantageously the same as or similar to the first, but oriented reversely with respect to the fabric. Thus, the second station 20, comprising feeding roll 21, retarding roll 22 and confining shoe 23, is so oriented with respect to the fabric that the feeding roll 21, of the second station, contacts that fabric surface which contacted the retarding roll 16 of the first station. As the fabric passes through the second compacting station, it is compacted in a manner similar to the compacting in the first station, but in a reverse orientation, so that any tendency for the fabric to assume different characteristics on its opposite sides in its first compacting is nullified in the second compacting. In accordance with the invention, the compacting effort applied to the fabric in the respective stations 14, 2f? is such that the fabric emerging from the second station 2@ is in substantially finished form and has similar characteristics on its opposite sides.

Advantageously, means are provided on the exit side of the second compacting station for removing the fabric therefrom, and, in the illustrated arrangement, the removing means is in the form of a power driven windup device Z4. The removing device may be arranged to take fabric from the compacting station at the same rate at which the fabric emerges therefrom, although it is often advantageous to operate the removing means at a slightly higher speed to apply tension to the fabric after the second compacting operation t0 stabilize the fabric in a desired condition.

In the apparatus of the invention, improved arrangements are provided for controlling the operation of the feed rolls 11, compacting stations 14, 2t) and removing means 24, to the end that substantial flexibility is afforded in the processing of various fabrics and finished Work of superior quality is readibly obtainable. l Thus, the illustrated apparatus has a motorized variable drive 25, constituting the primary power source and having drive sprockets 26, 27 which rotate in fixed relation but at speeds variable in accordance with the adjustment of the variable drive unit 25. The sprocket 27 drives a sprocket 28, through a chain 29, while sprocket 26 drives theinput sprocket 30 of a variable drive unit 31, through a chain 32. The sprocket 2S is fixed to a shaft 33, which mounts a plurality of other sprockets 34, 35, 36, the arrangement being such that sprockets 3f) and 34-3 are driven in fixed relation by the primary drive unit 25.

In the illustrated arrangement, the sprocket 34 drives the rolls 11 of the spreader 111, through a system including sprocket 37 and chain 33, and pulleys 39, 40 and belt 41. One of the pulleys 39, 49 is of a variable type, and a belt tightener 42 is provided whereby, in accordance with known principles, the effective diameter of the variable pulley may be adjusted to vary the speed of the rolls 11 relative to the speed of the driving sprocket 34. The belt tightener 42, which per se may be conventional, is provided with a suitable manual or other control (not shown) whereby a machine operator may conveniently vary the feeding speed independently of the machine speed, for example, the latter being determined by the setting of the primary drive unit 25.

Driven in fixed relation to the main drive sprocket 27, through a chain 43, is a sprocket d4 keyed to a shaft 45 which drives a sprocket 46. The sprocket 46 drives a sprocket 47, through a chain 48, and the sprocket 47 is keyed to the shaft which drives the feed roll 15 of the first compacting station. Thus, it will be observed that the feeding roll 15 is driven in fixed relation to the main drive sprocket.

The retarding roll 16, which cooperates with the feeding roll 15, is driven through sprockets 49-52 and chains 53, `54 by the variable speed drive 31, which is in turn driven by the main drive unit 25. The input to the drive unit 31 is fixed in relation to the machine speed, While the output of the unit may be varied in relation to its input by appropriate automatic or manual adjusting means. Accordingly, the speed of the retarding roll 16 may be adjusted relative to the speed of the feeding roll 15, throughout a predetermined range.

Feeding roll 21 of the second compacting station 20 is driven by sprockets 55, 56 and chain 57, constituting the output of a variable speed drive unit 58. The input of the drive unit 58 comprises sprocket 36, driven directly by the main drive unit 25, chain 59 and sprocket 60. The arrangement is suchthat the input of the'drive unit bears a fixed relation to the machine speed, while the output of the unit may be varied by suitable automatic or manual means, whereby the speed of the second compacting feed roll 21 may be adjusted relative to the speed of the first compacting feed roll 15.

The retarding roll 22, cooperating with the feeding roll 21, is driven by sprockets 61-64 and chains 65, 66 forming the output of a variable drive unit 67. The input of the drive unit 67 comprises sprockets 63, 69 and chain 70, which are driven in fixed relation to the output of the main drive unit 25, whereby the input of the drive unit 67 bears a fixed relation to the machine speed. Suitable automatic or manual means may be provided for adjusting the drive unit 67, whereby the speed of the retarding roll 22 may be adjusted with respect to the speed of the feeding roll 21.

A sprocket 71, driven in fixed relation to the input sprocket 68 of drive unit 67, drives a chain 72 and sprocket 73 in fixed relation to the output of the main drive unit 25. The sprocket 73 drives a pulley 74, which in turn drives a pulley 7S through a belt 76. At least one of the pulleys 74, 75 is of an adjustable type, adapted upon adjustment of the belt tension to change its effective diameter and thereby vary the rotational speed of the pulley 75 relative to the pulley 74. A suitable belt tighteningdevice 7'7, provided in 4the belt system, may be automatically or manually adjusted to vary the belt tension in a desired manner.

In the illustrated apparatus, the pulley 75 is keyed to a shaft 78 which drives a roll 79. Positioned above the roll 79 is a winding shaft 80, upon which fabric may be wound in a coil. The arrangement is such that fabric leaving the second compacting station 2d passes over the top of the roll '79 and is wound onto the shaft Sti. The rate of winding remains the same as the coil of fabric increases in diameter, since the coil is driven at its periphery by the roll 79, and there is sufiicient frictional contact between the roll '79 and the coiling fabric to permit a predetermined amount of tension to be applied to the fabric, if desired. Suitable arrangements for the fabric wind-up are shown in more detail in, for example, the J. G. Walter et al. Patent No. 2,467,231 and the S. Cohn et al. Patent No. 2,237,654.

In the new method, as carried out in the apparatus of FIG. 1, fabric from a suitable supply, (not shown) is delivered to the spreader and feeder 10, which spreads the fabric laterally and places it under tension as it advances toward the rst compacting station 14. While the fabric is in its spread condition, steam is advantageously applied thereto by the Steamers 12, 13,.positioned above and below the plane of the fabric.

After steaming, the fabric moves into contact with the feeding roll and passes between the feeding roll and confining shoe 17. The feeding roll is travelling at a preset speed determined by the setting of the main drive unit 25, and the fabric is advantageously delivered to the feeding roll at the same rate of speed, as determined by the setting of the belt tightener 42 in the feeder drive system.

Material passing between the feeding roll 15 and confining shoe 17 is eventually brought into contact with the retarding roll 16, which s travelling slower than the feeding roll 1S, at a speed determined by the setting of the drive unit 31. Accordingly, as set forth in substantial detail in the first Cohn et al. application, fabric is confined in a compacting zone defined by the roll nip 18 and shoe edge 19, and the fabric is compacted lengthwise to an extent determined by the relative speeds of the feeding and retarding rolls 15, 16.

Fabric leaving the compacting station 14, having been shortened in length, travels at a lower speed than that at which the fabric is delivered to the feeding roll `15'. The fabric may also have different characteristics on its opposite surfaces, due to the fact that, in the nip of the compacting station 14, the fabric was in simultaneous contact with surfaces moving at different speeds. Accordingly, in accordance with the invention, the compacted fabric is delivered from the first compacting station 14 to the second compacting station 2t?, the station 20 being reversely oriented with respect to the fabric, so that the surface of the fabric which contacted the retarding roll 16 of the first station now contacts the feeding roll 21 of the second station.

In the second compacting station the feeding roll 21 is moving at a speed determined by the setting of the drive unit 58, which speed may be set to coincide with that l of the fabric delivered to the roll, or may be slightly higher so that the fabric is placed under tension between the compacting stations. In the latter event, some of the compacting acomplished at the first station is pulled out as the fabric moves to the second station, and, in this respect, it has been found advantageous, in some cases, to over compact the fabric in one or both compacting stations and then stretch the fabric so that it is delivered in a highly stabilized condition.

As the fabric passes through the second compacting station it is additionally compacted, to an extent determined by the relative speeds of the feeding and retarding rolls 21, 22, and, in accordance with the invention, the proportion of the total compacting eort applied in each of the respective compacting stations 14, 20 is such that differential characteristics imparted to the opposite surfaces of the fabric in the station 14 are largely, if not entirely, removed in the station 2t?. Thus, the fabric leaving the second compacting station 2@ is in high-quality, finished form and generally requires no calendering, although it will be understood that calendering means may be provided wherever desirable or expedient.

Proper proportioning of the compacting effort to be carried out lby each of the compacting stations is usually different with different fabrics, and it is one of the features of the present invention that the separate compacting stations may be quickly and easily adjusted relative to each other, until the fabric emerging from the second station Ztl has the desired appearance.

Fabric leaving the second compacter is removed by the wind-up means 24. ln accordance with one aspect of the invention, if the compacting stations 1.4, 2) are set to accomplish more total compacting than is desired in the final fabric, the wind-up device may be adjusted, by setting the belt-tightener 77, to apply tension to the fabric and pull out some of the compacting. This is desirable in some cases in that it provides a more stabilized finished product.

In setting up the apparatus of FIG. Il for operation, it is most convenient first to set the speeds of the feeding roll 15 and wind-up device 24 at a desired ratio, equal to the ratio of a unit length of fabric before and after the desired total compacting. Next the speed of the feeding roll 21, is set relative to the speed of the feeding roll 15 in a ratio reflecting the relative proportions of the total compacting effort to be applied at each station. When the foregoing preliminary adjustments have been made, the spreader 1d and retarding rolls le, 22 may be appropriately adjusted, so that the fabric is delivered to the rst feeding roll in a desired condition and leaves the respective retarding rolls under proper tensioning or slackness.

Advantageously, control of the respective retarding rolls 16, 22 may be carried out automatically, by means responsive to the tension in the fabric leaving the rolls. Thus, between the compacting stations 1li, 2li` there is provided a dancer roll 81 carried by an arm 82 pivoted on a shaft 83. The arm 82 is biased to tend to move upward, but is limited by the fabric passing over the roll 81. The amount of tension in the fabric determines the amount of upward movement of the arm 82.

In the illustrated arrangement the shaft E3 is coupled with an air valve 84, which controls a reversible air motor d5. Accordingly, when the arm 32 pivots in one direction or the other, the air motor 85 is actuated proportionately and in a corresponding direction, automatically to adjust the drive unit 31.

A similar control system may be provided between Vthe second compacting station 2@ and the fabric removing means 2d, the control comprising a dancer assembly 36 coupled to an air valve S7 controlling a reversible air motor 38. The arrangement being such that the speed of the retarding roll 212 isl controlled by tension in the fabric leaving the compacting station 20.

AIn installations where automatic control of retarding aurai roll speed is not provided, it may be desirable in any event to utilize the dancer assemblies, to facilitate visual determination of fabric tension.

The apparatus of the invention advantageously incorporates several novel features, providing improved, maintenance-free operation. Thus, referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the compacting stations 14, 20 (of which only station 14 is illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) incorporate an improved arrangement for supporting the feeding and retarding rolls and the confining shoe in operative relation. In FIG. 2, the reference numeral 100 designates a machine frame upon which are supported spaced bearing blocks 101 journalling the feeding roll 15 at its opposite ends. Spaced rods 102, 103 extend laterally from bearing blocks 101 and are anchored in posts 104 mounted on the frame.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the retarding rolls 16 are journaled in bearing blocks 105, which are pivoted on the lower rods 103, the pivot means advantageously including anti-friction bearings 105. The bearing blocks 105 are pivoted into and out of operative positions by means of air actuators 107 mounted on the posts 104 and having their operating rods 107 extending through the posts and engaging the blocks 105 by means of pivoted connections.

In the illustrated arrangement, the actuators 107 are aligned in the plane of the roll axes, and the pivot axis for the blocks 105 is located closely adjacent the plane which passes between and in tangency with the rolls 15, 16. Accordingly, when the actuators 107 are energized to pivot the blocks 105 away from the feeding roll 15, the axis of the retarding roll 16 will move outward and downward.

The confining shoe 17, to be described in more detail, is mounted for movement about the axis of the feeding roll 15, by blocks 109 pivoted on the ends of the feeding roll. Spaced rods 110, 111 extend upwardly from the blocks 109 and are anchored in a cross bar 112, and spaced blocks 113 are pivoted on the rods 111 and engage the shoe 17 at its ends, whereby the shoe may be pivoted through a limited distance relative to the blocks 109.

As shown in FIG. 2, air actuators 114 are mounted on the cross bars 112 and their operating rods 114 engage the shoe-supporting blocks 113 at pivotal connections 115. The arrangement is such that when the actuators 114 are energized the shoe 17 is pivoted toward or away from the feeding roll 15, and, advantageously, the shoe-supporting blocks 113 are pivoted by anti-friction bearings 116 so that the force of the spaced actuators 114 is equally distributed at both ends of the shoe.

The rotary position of the entire shoe and supporting assembly with respect to the feeding roll is determined by an adjusting screw 117, carried in a bracket 11S on the post 104. The end of the screw 117 engages an end of the cross bar 112 and limits counterclockwise movement of the shoe and supporting assembly. In this manner the lower edge of the shoe 17 (seen best at FIG. 4) may be positioned in a desired relation to the nip formed by rolls 15, 16.

The air actuators 107, 114 greatly facilitate loading of material into the machine and provide more accurately controlled operating conditions during processing of the fabric. Thus to thread a length of fabric into the compacting station, the actuators 107, 114 are sequentially energized to retract first the retarding roll 16 and then the confining shoe 17 from the feeding roll 15. The fabric may then be readily threaded through the compacting station, whereupon the actuators are energized in reverse sequence to move first the shoe and then the retarding roll into operative positions, pressing with predetermined force against the fabric, the predetermined force being capable ofadjustment by regulating the pressure of the fiuid supplied to the actuators.

One of the specific advantageous features of the improved role and shoe mounting arrangements vis the combined use of pneumatic actuators and anti-friction pivotal mountings, whereby uniform and accurately controllable pressure is applied to the fabric across its entire Width, as it passes through the compacting station. Thus, the anti-friction pivotal Vmountings prevent binding of the movable parts and insure that operating pressures are effectively and uniformly applied to the fabric.

Advantageously, in the apparatus of the invention, no abutment or stop means, in the usual sense, are provided to iimit the movement of the pneumatically actuated 'retarding rolls and confining shoes toward their respective feeding rolls. This provides improved compacting re sults, since the fabric may be maintained under accurately controlled pressure during compacting. 'However, to prevent the retarding rolls and shoe from corning into contact with the feeding rolls when no fabric is in the machine, as when the fabric supply runs out while the machine is unattended, each feeding and retarding roll is provided with rotatable guard rings at each end. Thus, in FIG. 3, the feeding roll 15 has guard rings 119 at each end, while the retarding roll has similar guard rings 12d. The guard rings 119, 120 of the respective rolls are positioned opposite each other and are very slightly larger in diameter than the rolls themselves. Thus, if the rolls are urged into closing position, with no fabric between them, the pairs of guard rings 119, 120 come into contact and hold the rolls in slightly separated relation. In the illustrated apparatus the rings 119, 120 are advantageously received over reduced diameter end portions of the rolls 15, 16 and held in place thereon by end plates 121, 122.

The guard rings 119, on feed roll 15, are also operative to prevent contact of the confining shoe 17 with the feeding roll. In this respect, the length of the shoe 17 is such, with respect to the spacing of the guard rings 119, that end portions of the shoe extend over the guard rings. When no fabric is in the machine, pivoting of the shoe 17 toward the feeding roll 15 is limited by the guard rings 119, so that the shoe is held out of contact with the roll.

The new apparatus also advantageously incorporates improvements in the confining shoe 17, shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, the shoe assembly comprises a beam 123 of generally inverted T-shaped cross section, which is mounted at each end by the pivoting blocks 113. Secured to the lower face of the beam 123 are a plurality of shoe sections 124 of identical cross section, substantially as shown in FIG. 4. The shoe sections 124 have arcuate surface portions 125 which are advantageously finely ground or polished and which conform substantially to the contour of the feeding roll 15 over areas extending from their lower ends 126 over an arc of 45 for example. The conforming surface portions of the shoe sections 124 may be parallel with the outer surface of the feeding roll 15, but are advantageously arranged to converge with the roll surface toward the lower ends 126.

As set forth in more detail in the first Cohn et al. application, compacting of fabric is carried out in a compacting Zone formed by the nip 1S of rolls 15, 16 and by the lower edge of the shoe 17, and, advantageously, the length of the compacting zone, in the direction of fabric movement should be quite short, necessitating that the lower edge of the shoe be received close to the nip of the rolls. To this end, the present invention provides an improved shoe structure, including a blade 127 formed of wearable material, such as brass, which is removably received in the shoe blocks 124 and extends beyond the lower edges 126 thereof to form a blade-like lower end 130.

As shown in FlG. 4, the blade 127 may be mounted in the shoe blocks 124 by wedge-shaped clamping blocks 128 which are fastened to the shoe blocks 124 with screws 129. The contours of the shoe blocks `and clamping blocks 124, 128 is such that the blocks converge to thin edges, so that support is provided for the blade 127 close to its end. However, the free edge of the blade, which is formed of thin material, may project further, into close proximity to the roll nip 18. One important `advantageous feature of the new shoe construction is that the blade i227, formed of wearable material, may be caused to press against the surface f the retarding roll 16, to preclude material being compacted in the zone from tending to back up between the end of the shoe and the retarding roll. The blade 27 sustains some wear, of course, but it may be readily replaced from time to time, as may be necessary.

The new apparatus also incorporates improved means for heating the shoe ll', such heating having been found desirable for reducing friction between the shoe and the fabric and for other purposes. To this end, a pair of electric resistance rods or elements 131i, i132 are disposed along the base of the rib 133 of the T-shaped beam 123. The rods 131, iSZ. extend substantially throughout the length of the beam and are provided with electrical connections i3d, 135 at one or both ends. When the rods 131i, 2&32 are energized, heat is conducted through the base of the beam 123 and into the shoe blocks 12d in a uniform and highly efficient manner.

In the illustrated form of the invention the heating rods T131, 332 are protected and insulated by panels i3d of insulating material which extend from the upper end of the rib 133 to the outer ends of the base or arms of the T-shaped beam. A metal covering 137 extends about the insulating material and forms an insulated housing over the exposed portions of the beam.

The invention provides a novel and improved method of treating fabric, which is characterized particularly by compacting the fabric in successive steps, with the compacting action being reversely oriented with respect to the fabric on the successive occasions. In this manner, differential characteristics introduced into the opposite surfaces of the fabric in one compacting step are, in effect, cancelled or eliminated in a second compacting step, so that the fabric is in substantially finished form after the second step. ln combination with the improved compacting procedure, a variety of treatments may be given to the fabric, such as spreading, tensioning and steaming prior to the first compacting and/or applying tension to the fabric after one or both compacting steps. The new method is highly versatile in that the combination of treatments given a particular fabric may be varied and adjusted to suit a wide variety of materials, to provide finished compacted material with a minimum of effort and equipment. In this respect, the ability to apply tension to the material entering the compacting stations is of great advantage, in that it permits straightening of stripes or stitch lines, so that fabric emerging from the treating stations is in high-quality, finished form.

The new apparatus incorporates many improved features, one of the most important of which is the improved arrangement of compacting stations, whereby fabric may be partially compacted in each of a plurality of successive steps, with the proportion of the total compacting effort being readily adjustable at each station. The arrangement is such that, while fabric passes through the apparatus, the successive compacting stations may be adjusted one with respect to the other to obtain desired characteristics on opposite sides of the fabric, without changing the total compacting of the fabric.

The apparatus also incorporates other improved features providing automatic or manual adjustment for fabric tension, feeding speed and the like, all to the end that fabric may be commercially processed with great efficiency and in a manner such that a high-quality finished product is obtained.

lt should be understood, however, that the method and apparatus herein described in detail are intended to be illustrative only, as certain variations may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure. By way of example only, many aspects of the invention may be utilized to advantage in connection with the methods and apparatus described in US. Patents Nos. 2,765,513 and 2,765,514, to Richard R. Walton. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following appended claims in determining the full scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. Apparatus for the forcible compressive shrinkage of tubular knitted fabric in the longitudinal. direction comprising a first compressive shrinking station including first feeding and retarding rolls forming a first nip, and a first shoe forming with the first nip a iirst compressive shrinking zone, a second compressive shrinking station including second feeding and retarding rolls forming a second nip, and a second shoe forming with the second nip a second compressive shrinking zone, means to supply the fabric to the first feeding roll whereby one surface of the fabric contacts the first feeding roll, the second compressive shrinking station being reversely oriented with respect to the first compressive shrinking station whereby the second feeding roll is arranged to contact the other surface of the fabric, means to drive the iirst feeding and retarding rolls, and adjustable means for driving the second feeding and retarding rolls in predetermined speed relation to the first feeding and retarding rolls whereby said second feedin.U roll is driven at a peripheral speed greater than that of said first retarding roll to effect controlled lengthening of the fabric traveling between the compressive shrinking stations.

2. The apparatus of claim l, which includes adjustable drive means for at least one of the compressive shrinking stations for regulating the proportion of the total compressive shrinkage effected by each compressive shrinking station.

3. Apparatus for the forcible compressive shrinkage of tubular knitted fabric in the longitudinal direction comprising a rst compressive shrinking station having means acting differently on opposite surfaces of the fabric, a second compressive shrinking station having means acting differently on opposite surfaces of the fabric and oriented reversely to the first compressive shrinking station, and adjustable drive means for at least one of the compressive treating stations for causing the material to be controllably lengthened while traveling between the compressive shrinking stations.

4. rfhe method of forcibly compressively shrinking tubular knitted fabric in the longitudinal direction which comprises spreading the fabric to a controlled predetermined width, steaming the spread fabric, compressively shrinking the fabric longitudinally by acting primarily upon one surface of the fabric to feed the fabric into a first compressive shrinking zone, controllably lengthening the fabric leaving the first compressive shrinking Zone, compressively shrinking the thus lengthened fabric longitudinally by acting primarily upon said other surface of the fabric to feed the fabric into a second compressive shrinking zone oriented reversely to said first zone, and conveying the fabric from the second zone.

5. The method of claim 4, which includes the step of subjecting said fabric to a predetermined tension substantially uniformly across its width during said conveying step.

6. The method of claim 4, which includes the step of subjecting said fabric to a predetermined tension during said spreading step.

7. The method of claim 4, in which the longitudinal compressive shrinkage effected in said rst Zone constitutes on the order of 60% or more of the total longitudinal compressive shrinkage.

8. The method of claim 4, which includes the steps of applying tension to said fabric substantially uniformly l l acioss its width substantially immediately after said fabric emerges from said second compressive shrinking zone, and gathering said material in a sei'ies of contacting layers while maintaining said tension.

9. The method of c1aim 4, which includes the steps of subjecting said fabric to the application of rolling pressure at the exit ends of said zones.

2,005,517 Cluett June 18, 1935 12 Schreiner June 8, 1937 Cohn et al Mar. 12, 1940 Cohn et a1. Jan. 7, 1941 Wrigley et a1 Nov. 25, 1941 Chateld Sept. 19, 1950 Cohn et al. Mar. 18, 1952 Cohn et al. May 12, 1953 Ciuett et al. Oct. 25, 1955 Walton Oct. 9, 1956 Walton Oct. 9, 1956 

